September 30, 2016

We leave Lisbon behind by taking a ferry across the river estuary.  Although we’re not in the big city any more, the next 20 kilometres are spent dashing along fast dual carriageways through dreary industrial towns.  For the first time this trip we feel in danger as we negotiate across motorway slip roads, flyovers and other obstacles not at all suitable for bikes.  This Eurovelo route has differed from the others we have done in that it does use busy roads as part of the route.  Once the road turns to single carriageway things calm down a bit, but not much.

Eventually we reach nice open countryside of native pines before taking a turn-off into the natural park of the Serra da Arrábida which involves crossing a mountain pass.  Oh dear, the climbing legs have disappeared overnight.  We felt as fit as fleas two days ago, so how can we not be fit now?  Must be the day off that has done it.

After a very slow climb we race down the other side to a cliff top road running to Setúbal, which is a fishing town set on the mouth of an estuary.  The sea looks very blue and inviting below us.  We have carried towels and swimsuits for hundreds of kilometres along the coast and not used them once yet!  Maybe today?